Carol Natukunda
18 June 2009
Kuala Lumpur — EDUCATION experts have criticised the affirmative action in favour of girls, saying it has sidelined boys' access to education.
The experts noted that while countries had made tremendous progress to bridge the gender gaps in schools, more boys were performing poorly in class compared to the girls and dropping out of school to look for employment.
"For years, we have focused on women. But the worst that can happen is that the global phenomenon might start making policies of affirmative action for the boys," remarked Dr. Fatiha Serour, the director of youth affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
According to Serour, evidence that girls are outnumbering boys in schools had created a stir in some countries.
She made the remarks during the youth forum at the Commonwealth education ministers' conference on Monday in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The conference brought together over 800 participants from the Commonwealth.
South Africa's education minister, Dr. Blade Nzimande, urged countries to ensure a balanced approach to education policies.
Uganda's education minister Namirembe Bitamazire, however, said her country would not be caught unawares, as education was a constitutional right.
"We have passed a law making education compulsory and nobody should be left behind.
We must participate equally." Bitamazire noted that girls were still performing poorly, especially in sciences, compared to boys.
"Girls also face specific challenges such as early pregnancies and early marriages. That is why we uphold affirmative action," she said.
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